SWIRE Shipping Fijian Drua head coach Glen Jackson has urged his side to enjoy their rugby and finish strongly as they prepare for their final home match of the 2026 Shop N Save Super Rugby Pacific season against the NSW Waratahs in Suva tomorrow.
Jackson said the side had used the bye week to refresh after what he described as a demanding stretch of matches and now viewed the remainder of the season as a “three-test series” against Australian opposition.
“The message is just obviously we’ve refreshed. I think it was a genuinely hard eight weeks of footy in between.
“So now it’s a three-test series, really. Got three Australian teams. I don’t want to put too much pressure on the players. Just go out and enjoy themselves and play what’s natural for them.”
Jackson said playing naturally meant the Drua sticking to their strengths of physicality, protecting possession and attacking with width.
“Natural means hitting hard, looking after our ball and sending the ball wide. So that’s the mentality and the messaging around it.”
He reflected on his long journey with the club, saying the Drua had come a long way since their first season in Super Rugby Pacific.
“It’s been a big moment of my life. I’ve been part of the Drua since day one, but we’ve got plenty to do.
He added that the competition had become tougher this season with every team boasting strong squads, making belief and consistency crucial.
“It’s about winning the moments when it counts.
“And when you don’t quite win those moments, it’s about hanging in there. I think that’s what they’ve done well this year,” he added.
Jackson also praised the team’s defensive improvement, especially in protecting their own try line.
“I think defensively, defending our line better than we have in previous years,” he said.
The Drua coach is now hoping for another strong turnout from supporters at the HFC Bank Stadium, saying the Fiji crowd continues to play a huge role in lifting the team.
“I hope Suva brings the crowd because the Ba game was unbelievable again.
“One game in Suva, hopefully good weather and a full house for a game that we like to play.”
Jackson expects a physical encounter against the Waratahs and hinted there is still unfinished business from their last visit to Fiji. The match kicks off at Suva’s HFC Bank Stadium at 4.30pm tomorrow.
